As a first-generation college student within your family, you face some specific challenges that your friends whose parents attended college may not. You’re dealing with new systems without advising built in, juggling family and academic pressures, and decoding unwritten college rules. But your first-gen experience also comprises rich treasures that enliven college campuses. Knowledge of what exists and working together on strategic planning can leverage potential weaknesses as sources of competitiveness for college and career achievement.
Conquering First-Gen Universal Challenges and Awareness
Impostor syndrome, financial stress, and cultural issues all impact the academic achievement of first-generation students. A lack of understanding of how college operates, from courses to integration with faculty, creates unfamiliar amounts of stress for continuing-generation students.
Challenges to address:
- Financial aid complexity is usually overwhelming to novice families
- School and study expectations are in no comparison whatsoever with high school
- Career networking is not possible beyond familial relations in white-collar jobs
Navigating culture is a day-to-day struggle as you try to reconcile school expectations with family obligations. The majority of first-generation students live in the middle worlds, feeling embarrassed about academic goals their families were unable to achieve, while trying to meet the expectations of being part of the family.
Scholarly preparation deficits are typically in research design, citation style, and professors’ writing styles. These small, yet essential skills may be the difference between grades and effective communication with professors who expect all students to possess them.
Example: UC Davis first-generation student Maria Rodriguez initially faced challenges with office hour protocols and research paper structure. Following a call to her campus TRiO Student Support Services, professional writing skills and academic writing strategies were provided, resulting in an elevation of her GPA from 2.8 to 3.6 over two semesters.
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Key Resources and Support Systems for Academic Success
First-generation student services are available on nearly every campus, but are not being accessed as they could be because students are either unaware of their existence or unwilling to acknowledge their need for help. Federal TRiO programs also provide first-generation students with tutoring, mentoring, and financial guidance counseling.
Most institutions of higher education offer distinct programs for first-generation students, which typically include peer mentoring, career guidance, and opportunities for contact with faculty. They offer supportive settings where problems can be shared with peers, as networks are established that extend far beyond graduation day.
Student financial aid offices not only grant loans but also provide emergency assistance, work-study programs, and referrals to off-campus scholarships. Emergency funds are often kept in most schools specifically for first-generation students who experience sudden financial emergencies that put them at a disadvantage.
Example: Penn State’s First-Generation Student Union pairs students with alumni mentors who are employed in the career field they will be entering, provides them with professional attire for interviews, and conducts seminars on networking when their families lack professional connections. Members graduate and get jobs at higher rates than first-gen students who are not members.
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Proven Success Strategies and Mindset Shifts
Successful first-generation college students arrive with strategies that are harmonious with their own sets of strengths and aim to bridge gaps of uncertainty. A few strategies for first-generation college students to succeed include making connections, asking shamelessly, and viewing your background as a strength rather than a weakness.
You must have relationships because you cannot rely on family members to work or intern. Attend the professor’s office hours, get involved in professional student groups, and collaborate on research projects that foster mentorship relationships. Your best chance is to find a faculty member who will see your dedication once they meet you.
Mastering effective communication skills propels achievement in all aspects of college life. Master professional email protocols, self-advocacy on campus, and don’t hesitate to pose a question that other students will find to be an obvious no-brainer. Energetic work and careful effort are much more likely to impress faculty than natural ability in college life.
Your first-generation college student experience is one of great courage and commitment to be celebrated. Yes, there will be obstacles that arise, but the support services and resources already available to you can assist you not just to get by, but to succeed on the college campus.
Utilize first-gen student services on campus, get connected with students and professors, and know that your own distinct voice is an asset to the college community. Begin by identifying one support service this week and taking the initiative to contact them. Your achievement provides opportunities for generations to come in your family and inspires other first-generation students, such as yourself, to pursue their own academic endeavors.
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